News From the November Board Meeting
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Members of the Navigate 28 Strategic Planning Team worked in small groups on Nov. 13 to develop draft Mission, Vision and Core Values statements. Three GBN students joined in the meeting to add their perspective as the team researched innovative schools and education networks.
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Strategic Planning Team Develops Mission, Vision and Values
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The Navigate 28 Strategic Planning Team has held two full-day meetings, and has combined the resources provided by administration and feedback from staff and community to develop draft Mission and Vision Statements along with Core Values.
Board Member Tony Forchetti said it has been a wonderful cross section of ideas that has been creative and thoughtful. At the Nov. 13 meeting, the team used the data from the previous meeting along with feedback from public forums and a public survey to refine its Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats analysis facing the district.
Students from Glenbrook North joined the November meeting to help identify a mission statement, vision statement and core values.
Third Round of Community, Staff Feedback
Review the draft Mission, Vision and Core Values and provide your feedback by clicking on the link below. View all the documents and planning process recap on the
Navigate 28 website.
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Six Classrooms Test Devices for Learning in 8-Week Pilot
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Six classrooms in grades 2, 3, 5, 6 and 8 will test two different devices over eight weeks as part of the work of the district’s Innovate 28 Committee.
Director of Learning Stephanie Smith said the pilot will focus on collecting evidence on how the devices impact student learning.
A subcommittee of Innovate 28 last year interviewed each learning team on technology access, uses and needs. The pilot devices – an iPad with keyboard and stylus and an HP Probook 360 with stylus -- meet the committee’s goal for learning, device management, cost, durability, brain research and processing system. Both devices can integrate with Google docs/Google Classroom.
Piloting teachers will document the time students use devices, the purpose of use, their successes, surprises, troubleshooting, and the learning level achieved. Students will be surveyed on how the device impacted their learning.
Teachers involved in the pilot were recommended by their building principal, with at least one classroom in each building. Mrs. Smith said the committee will share their findings at the end of March and move slowly and thoughtfully on what comes next. There will be opportunities in the future for other teachers to be involved on a volunteer basis.
Four Innovate 28 subcommittees are working on other aspects of innovative classrooms, including Technology Curriculum, Instructional Practices, Professional Learning, and Innovative Learning Spaces. The Innovate 28 goal is to examine best practice, determine where we are in relation to best practice, and make recommendations to bridge the gap between the two.
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Proposed 2018-19 Calendar Starts With Two Institute Days
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Following the suggestions of teachers and administrators, the proposed calendar for 2018-19 starts with more time to prepare for students with two teacher institute days, Monday, Aug. 20 and Tuesday, Aug. 21.
Due to the large amount of preparation at the start of the year prior to students arriving and the limited time when only one day is allocated, both teachers and administrators have suggested the change.
In 2019, the Casmir Pulaski holiday, which has been a Teacher Institute day for several years, reverts back to a holiday for staff.
Also in 2019, the spring half-day School Improvement Plan Day moves from the third Friday in April to the third Thursday in April due to Good Friday being a non-attendance day. Winter and spring breaks align with High School District 225. Winter break is slated for Dec. 24, 2018 – Jan. 4, 2019. Spring break is March 25-29, 2019. The last day of school without snow days is Thursday, June 6, 2019.
The 2018-19 calendar will be reviewed and approved by the Board in December.
Greenbriar Wifi Improvements Clear Funding Hurdles
Work will begin over winter break on the cabling project and wireless access point replacements at Greenbriar School. The District was awaiting commitment letters of federal funding through the E-rate program before the work could begin.
Elementary Report Cards Go Digital
For the first time, progress reports for elementary students in kindergarten through fifth grade will be distributed via email on December 1. The new format was designed based on parent and teacher feedback from last year’s pilot.
The new report card requires parents to access the confidential information with a username and password.
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Greenbriar Family Night
Nets 556 Birthday Bags
The Greenbriar School community pitched in to spread happiness to those less fortunate through the Families Helping Families organization.
After a donation drive at school, families gathered on Nov. 16 to create 556 birthday bags containing the makings for a celebration: a box of cake mix, a jar of frosting, candles, a balloon and a birthday horn. This was the second annual family service night at the school.
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Project RED Expands
at Meadowbrook
On Friday, Nov. 17, Parent Volunteer Liz Wang led a project where each student painted a rock and wrote a message of kindness. The activity mirrored a national initiative, The Kindness Rocks Project (thekindnessrocksproject.com). The rocks will be on display at the Northbrook Public Library.
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Young Explorers Learn About Healthy Lifestyles - Ninja Style
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Tavares Chambliss, a real American Ninja Warrior who competed on the hit show in 2015 and is making a run for it this year, showed students different exercises to strengthen their bodies. Our Young Explorers were completely energized and had a great time showing off their muscles! Tavares, also known as the Neon Ninja, resides in Palatine and visited as part of the Young Explorers Healthy Lifestyles unit.
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Coach Position a Perfect Blend of Technology, Instruction
When Ronit Shapiro accepted the position of elementary technology instructional coach, she wanted to make sure she was still working with students in the classroom.
“I love instruction and I love technology. It’s just a perfect match for me,” she said. With nearly a half year passed, she has had numerous coaching cycles at each elementary school.
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- Dec. 8 - Westmoor Winter Sing (Grades 1&2-9 a.m. Grades 3&4-10:30 a.m.)
- Dec. 8 - Cadet Orchestra, String & Philharmonic Orchestra Concert - 7 p.m. NBJH
- Dec. 11 - Beginning Orchestra & Chamber Orchestra Concert - 7 p.m. NBJH
- Dec. 12 - Board of Education, 7 p.m. District Office; 6th Grade Chorus & Concert Choir Concert - 7 p.m. NBJH
- Dec. 14 - Beginning & Junior Band Concert - 7 p.m. NBJH
- Dec. 15 - Greenbriar Winter Sing (Grade 1 - 10:15 a.m.; Grade 2 - 11 a.m.; Grade 3 - 1 p.m.; Grade 4 - 2:30 p.m.; Grade 5 - 9 a.m.)
- Dec. 19 - Meadowbrook Winter Sing (Grade 1 - 10 a.m.; Grade 3 - 1:30 p.m)
- Dec. 20 - Meadowbrook Winter Sing (Grade 2 - 10 a.m.; Grade 4 - 1:30 p.m)
- Dec. 20 - NBJH Alumni Band Festival - 7 p.m. NBJH
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Live Streaming on You Tube
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District 28 is now streaming concerts on YouTube. The performances will also be available for viewing following the concert. There are channels for each school and a NBJH Music channel. Click below for the links.
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STAY CONNECTED TO WHAT'S HAPPENING IN DISTRICT 28!
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#TLC28
District 28’s official hashtag! You can search the hashtag on Twitter or Facebook to monitor posts from teachers, administrators and the district accounts. This hashtag helps us tell the story of Teaching, Learning and Caring in District 28.
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